I saw the query from Alec Kendall and Dave Ambler about the date when Liskeard station Up platform was extended, following the closure of the up side goods yard.

Whilst I don't have an answer to their query, it did set me wondering how the platforms at Liskeard (and indeed other Cornish stations) will cope when the HSTs are replaced by Hitachi Class 802s.

By my reckoning a 2+8 HST comes in at 220 metres. A 9 car 802 would be 234 metres in length and 2x5 car 802s would be 260m long. I don't know the length of Liskeard's platforms, but understand that the Quail maps might have this answer. Does anybody have access to one?

Incidentally, when looking up on the web to see if platform lengths were quoted, I stumbled across a report by the Rail Safety & Standards Board, researching platforms that are identified as being on a curve of less than 200m radius and the feasibility of increasing their track radius, or straightening the platform. See: *https://www.rssb.co.uk/PTIContent/PTI056-059-075-076-078-T726_rpt_final1.pdf

Interestingly, this report quotes a number of curved platforms up and down the country, including the Looe branch platform at Liskeard (Platform 3). The report shows that it is authorised to be served only by the following classes of unit - 142, 150, 153 and 155. So no chance of the Looe branch being operated in the future by Class 158s, Turbos (which are notably wider in any case), or such units as the 170 family.

With 153s destined to be withdrawn, it looks as though the Looe branch will be stuck with Class 150s for ever!

Kind regards, Peter. Many thanks Peter.* This quite a weighty document but well worth wading through. The report doesn't mention Redruth with its short curved platform!!

850615a 43130 Westminster Abbey on the rear of the 10.35 Penzance to Paddington departs St Erth. In the background was the Unigate Milk Depot and the scrapyard now confined to history. Copyright Michael Forward

Signalbox diagram​Westbury South ​Guy Vincent

Westbury South Signalbox Diagram 1952 Guy Vincent Collection N.B. The station platforms on the right, The lines upper left towards Taunton and lower left towards Salisbury